Floating shockproof and vibrationless assembly for delicate instrument panel mount



Ap 1963 E. J. GALLAGHER, JR 3,083,

FLOATING SHOCKPROOF' AND VIBRATIONLESS ASSEMBLY FOR DELICA EL MOUNT TEINSTRUMENT PAN Filed March 2, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet l Elva/v? I Apnl 2,1963 E. J. GALLAGHER, JR 3,

FLOATING SHOCKPROOF AND VIBRATIONLESS ASSEMBLY FOR DELICATE INSTRUMENTPANEL MOUNT Filed March 2. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I) W me 5 April 2 1963E J GALLAGHER JR 3,083,939

FLOATING sHoc'KPRooF AND VIBRATIONLESS ASSEMBLY FOR DELICATE. INSTRUMENTPANEL MOUNT Filed March 2, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 \\\\ITHFHMHII 475v 6Eda/arid April 2, 1963 FOR DELICATE Filed March 2, 1961 mu Q GALLAGHER.JR

E. J. 3,083,939 FLOATING SHOCKPROOF AND VIBRATIONLESS ASSEMB INSTRUMENTPANEL MOUNT 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

FLUATENG SHUCKPROGF AND VEBRATHGN- ASSEMBLY FUR DELECATE INS RU- MENTPANEL MUUNT Edward J. Gallagher, in, 3501 Ednor Road, Baltimore 18, Md.Filed Mar. 2, 1961, er. No, 92,394 2 Claims. (Cl. 248-358) The presentinvention relates to a shockproof or vibration proof mounting, and moreparticularly to such a mounting that is adapted to be used inconjunction with the support of delicate instruments or the like.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a shockproofand vibrationless mount for delicate instruments or the like whereinsuch instruments can be safely supported or mounted whereby in the eventof a vibration or shock, damage or shock to such delicate instrumentswill be minimized or prevented.

Another object is to provide a vibration dampener which can be used inconjunction with the support of Various ty es of articles such asarticles of furniture, work benches or the like, and wherein regardlessof the direction of the vibration or shock, the present invention willcompensate for such vibration or shock so as to prevent instruments orother articles that are being supp rted from being effected by suchshocks or vibrations.

Still another object is to provide a shockproof and vibrationl-essassembly of the character described that may be used in conjunction withprecision instruments, and further objects and advantages are to provideimproved elements and arrangements thereof in a device of the characterdescribed that is economical to produce, durable in form, andconduciveto the most economical use of materials and uniformity ofmembers formed therefrom.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from thesubsequent description in the specification.

In the drawings:

FEGURE 1 is a front elevational view of the shockproof and vibrationabsorber assembly of the present invention, and with parts broken awayand in section.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional View taken on the line 2--2 of FIGURE 1.

FEGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIGURE 1.

FlGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional View taken on the line 5-5 of F IGURE 1.

FEGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional View taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE1.

FEGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 but showing the parts in adifferent position.

FEGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURES 6 and 7 but showing the parts inanother or different position.

FEGURE 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged sectional View taken on the line w ll? ofFlGURE l.

FlGURE 11 is a sectional View taken on the line 1fi1 1 of FEGURE 10*.

FlGURE 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 2-1Z of FIGURE1.

FIGURE 13 is a sectional view taken on the line 1.3-4.3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary sectional View illustrating a modification.

FIGURE 15 is a fragmentary sectional View of another modification.

' United States Patent 0 3,083,939 Patented Apr. 2, 1963 FIGURE 16 is anelevational view illustrating a further modification.

FIGURE 17 is a sectional view taken 17-17 of FIGURE 16.

FiGURE 18 is an elevational view generally similar to FIGURE 16 butshowing a further modification.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 39 indicates theshockproof assembly of the present invention in its entirety, and itwill be seen that the assembly 317 embodies an outer frame which isindicated generally by the numeral 37, FIGURE 1, and the outer frame 37includes a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed bars 31, andsecured to the inner portions of the bars 31 are brackets 32, and thebrackets 32 may be secured to the bars 3?; in any suitable manner, asfor example by means of bolts 33. First, second and third horizontallydisposed spaced parallel crosspieces 34, 35 and 36 are arranged at rightangles with respect to the bars 31, and these cro-sspieces are suitablysecured to the brackets 32 as for example by means of bolts, rivets,welding or the like.

The numeral 3% indicates each of a first pair of similar mounting unitsthat are connected to the first crosspiece 34, FlGURE 1, and as shown inFIGURE 12 due to the mounting units 38 embodies a base 39 which includesa side wall portion 4i! as well as a bottom portion 41, and the portion4-1 has an opening 42 therein for a purpose to be later described. Adisc 43 made of a suitable yieldable or resilient fiber like material isinterposed between the portion d-l and the crosspiece 34-, and thenumeral 44 indicates a support member that is adjustably connected tothe base 39. The support member includes a depending neck portion 45which is provided with an annular groove or recess 46 therein, and asshown in the drawings a yieldable or resilient body piece 27 has a lip43 that is seated in the recess 46. The numeral 4%? indicates a coilspring which has one end engaging a recessed portion St) within the neck45, and shown in the drawings there is provided a securing element orbolt 51 which includes a shank 52 that has an enlarged head 53 on oneend thereof, and an end portion of the shank 52 is threaded as at 5there being a fastener or nut 55 arranged in threaded engagement withthe threaded portion 54 in order to maintain the parts in their properassembled position. The shank 52 is extended through an opening 56 inthe support member 44.

As shown in the drawings a horizontally disposed block 57 is arrangedabove the crosspiece 34, and the block 57 is provided with a recess orcutout 53 therein. The block 5'7 has a threaded opening 5% whichregisters with an opening 61 in an insert 62, and a bolt or securingelement tit? has a portion thereof extending through the opening 61 andthread-edly engaging the opening 59 so as to maintain the insert 62connected to the block 57. Electric cables 64 are clamped betweenarcuately recessed portions 53 in the insert 62 and block 57, and thesecables 64- may include conductor wires s5 therein, FIGURE 13. Thesupport members as are provided with annular grooves 65, and set screwsor securing elements 67 are adapted to extend through portions of theblock 57 and engage the grooves 66, as for example as shown in FIGURE13.

The upper portions of the support members 44 are snugly received in therecesses 68 in the block 57, and there is provided on the lower end ofthe support member 44 an enlarged circular shoulder 69 which is adaptedto slide up and down in the base 39.

As shown in the drawings there is provided a generally rectangular openinn-er frame that is indicated generally on the line by the numeral 76,and the inner frame 76 includes spaced parallel vertically disposed sidemembers 71 as well as horizontally disposed spaced parallel end members72, and the end members and side members are adapted to be securedtogether as at 73. Mounting units 38 are operatively connected to thelower end members 72 of the inner frame 70, and it will be seen that themounting units 38' include a support member 44- that is slidably oradjustably connected to the base 39, and a yieldable or fiber washer ordisc 74 is arranged contiguous to the support member 44. The mountingunit 38' further includes a fiber disc 75 which is arranged contiguousto a washer 76, and a fastener 77 is arranged on a securing element suchas a securing element 51 for maintaining the associated parts in theirproper position.

The numeral 78 indicates a fixture or housing which is arranged withinthe inner frame 70, and the fixture 78 includes vertically disposed sidesections 79 as well as horizontally disposed top and bottom sections 80and 81. The numeral 82 indicates a door which may be provided forpermitting a person to gain access to the delicate instruments withinthe fixture 78, and the door 82 may be opened by means of a handle 83,and the numeral 84 indicates a hinge for supporting the door 82.

Arranged around various spaced apart points relative to the fixture 78are mounting devices which are indicated generally by the numeral 85,and these mounting devices 85 have a construction as later described inthis application. There is also provided U-shaped yokes 86 which eachinclude a web portion 87 that is secured in place as at 88, and eachyoke 86 further includes a pair of spaced parallel arms 89, and the arms89 are arranged so that the mounting devices 85 are supported betweenthe arms 89 and adjacent portions of the fixture 78.

Attention is directed to FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings, whereinthere is shown in detail the construction of a mounting device 85 and itwill be seen that the mounting device includes a spherical hollow bodymember 90 that is adapted to be made up of two generally semi-sphericalsections 91 that are bonded or adhesively secured together as at 92, andthe body member 90 is provided with an air aperture or opening 93therein. Diametrically opposed generally arcuate saddles 94 and 95engage outer portions of the body member 90, and there is provideddiametrically opposed curved first and second base elements 96 and 97which are arranged within the body member 9%). The numeral 98 indicatesa stem which has a threaded outer end portion 99, and a nut or fastener100 is arranged in threaded engagement with the portion 99. The numeral103 indicates a bushing that is slidably arranged on the stem 98, andthe bushing 103 is provided with a rounded or arcuate surface 101.Bearing members 102 which may be made of a suitable material such as afiber like substance are arranged in a suitable opening for theprojection therethrough of the movable stem 98 so as to minimizefriction between the parts. The stem 98 is provided with a circularshoulder 105 which engages an adjacent recess in the saddle 94. Theinner end of the stem 98 is threaded as at 104 for threadedly engagingthe base element 96.

There is further provided a movable plunger or piston 106 which isprovided with a circular flange or shoulder 107 that engages a recess108 in the base element 96, and an end portion 109 of the plunger 106 isarranged in threaded engagement with the base element 96. The piston 106is arranged for sliding movement in a bore 110 of a cylinder 111, andthe cylinder 111 is provided with an enlarged recessed portion 112 forreceiving therein an end of the coil spring 113, and the coil spring 113has the piston 106 slidable therein. Mounted within the base element 97is an apertured fitting 114 that provides a seat for the valve member'115, and the valve member 115 is provided with a small aperture oropening 116 therein. A stem 117 has its inner end threadedly connectedto the base element 97, and there is a circular flange or shoulder 118on the stem 117, and as shown in FIGURE 7 for example the stem 117 isprovided with a hollow interior or passageway 119 for the passagetherethrough of air. The stem 117 otherwise has a construction which issomewhat similar to the construction of the stem 98.

Attention is now directed to FIGURE 14 of the drawings wherein there isillustrated a modification and wherein the numeral 120 indicates aportion of a member such as a work bench, leg of a table or the like,and the member 120 is provided with a recess 121 as well as a reduceddiameter threaded aperture 122, and the numeral 38" indicates a mountingunit for the member 120. The mounting unit 38" includes a support member44" as well as a securing element 51", and an end of the securingelement 51 is adapted to engage the threaded opening 122 in the member120. A support piece 123 is adapted to be connected to the supportmember 44", and the sup port piece 123 is adapted to engage a floorsurface or the like.

Referring to FIGURE 15 of the drawings there is shown a furthermodification wherein the numeral 124 indicates a member such as anarticle of furniture, supporting table or the like, and the member 124has provided in its lower end with a recess 125 which has communieatingtherewith a small opening 126, and the numeral 127 indicates a stud orpin which engages the opening 126, and a mounting device 85' is arrangedas shown in FIGURE 15, and the mounting device 85 has connected to thelower portion thereof by means of a securing element 129 a supportelement 128, and an upwardly disposed member 130 is arranged adjacentthe top portion of the mounting device 85'.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided ashockproof mounting which is especially suitable for use with delicateinstruments or the like, and in use with the parts arranged as shown inthe drawings, it will be seen that the fixture 78 is arranged so thatdelicate inst-nunents or the like supported therein will be protectedfrom damage from vibrations, shocks or the like. The present inventionis not restricted to any particular type of instrument and for examplethe fixture 78 may be hollow and access can be gained to the interior ofthe fixture 78 by manually gripping the knob 83 and opening the door 82or swinging the door open about an axis extending through the hinge 84.The fixture 78 which has the instruments of a suitable nature or typesupported therein is arranged within the inner frame 70, and the innerframe 70 is arranged within the outer frame 37, as shown in FIGURE 1.

There is provided around the fixture 78 a plurality of resilientmounting devices or mounting units which serve to function as shockabsorbers so that in the event that vibrations or shocks occur, suchshocks or vibrations will not be transmitted to the delicate instrumentssupported by the fixture 78 so that damage to such instruments will beminimized or prevented. It will be noted that the outer frame 37 may berigidly afiixed in place, but the inner frame 70 is resilientlysupported within the outer frame 37, as for example due to the provisionof the mounting units 38 and the upper mounting devices 85.

In addition, the fixture 78 is resiliently supported within the innerframe 70 by means of the mounting units 38 and the mounting devices 85and this construction is such that in the event of a shock or vibration,such shocks or vibrations will be initially absorbed or dampened by thelowermost mounting units 38 and by the uppermost mounting devices 85,and subsequently the shocks or vibrations will be dampened or eliminatedby the mounting devices 85 and mounting units 38 that are interposedbetween the fixture 78 and the inner frame 70.

As shown in FIGURE 1, there is provided the electric conductor wires orcables 64 which may be connected to a suitable source of electricalenergy, and these cables 64 are clamped in place between the recesses 63of the insert 62 and block 57, as for example as shown in FIG- URE 13,and in addition there is provided for the block 57 the mounting units 38which also help to dampen any vibrations or shocks that may betransmitted along the cables 64-.

As shown in FIGURES 6 through 8 for example, it will be seen that themounting devices 85 are arranged or constructed so that regardless ofthe direction of the shock or vibration, the shock or vibrations will bedampened or absorbed by the mounting device, and in addition each of themounting devices are constructed so that a plurality of independentshock absorbing effects are provided which serve to effectively dampenor reduce the shocks before they are transmitted to the delicateinstruments within the fixture 73. In FIGURE 6 a mounting device 85 isshown in normal position as for example when no shock or vibration ispresent, and in FIGURE 7 .the position of the parts of the mountingdevice 85 is illustrated as for example when a shock or vibration occursin a direction that is in alignment with the longitudinal axis of thepiston 106. Thus, as shown in FIGURE 7 when such a vibration or shockoccurs the body member 5 0 will become partially compressed, and sincethe body member 90 is made of a yieldable or resilient material such asa suitable rubber, plastic or the like, it will be seen that the shockor vibration will be partially absorbed clue to the inherent resiliencyof the body member 90. In addition it will be noted that when novibration or shock is present, the valve member 115 is partially open sothat air can flow through the hollow space or passageway 119 in thetubular member 117 and this air can also flow through the centralaperture in the seat 114 and past the partially opened valve member 115.However, when the parts are in the position of FIGURE 7, the piston 106will have moved from ri it to left through the bore 110 in the cylinder111 and this will have the effect of closing the valve member 115 sothat the only air thatflcan flow between the bore 110 and the passageway119 is that air which passes through the small aperture lllfi in thevalve member 115 and this restricted aperture or opening 116 thus actsas a further shock or vibration dampener since it will have a tendencyto retard movement of the piston 106 in the bore 110; This is becausethe restricted opening 116 will only permit the air to.fi'ow'therethrough at a certain rate or velocity which is less than .therate or velocity of the air asfor example when the valve 115 is in theposition of FIGURE 6, and the valve member 115 normally omupies orassumes the position such as that shown in FIGURE 6due to the inherentresiliency of the valve member 115.

The spring 113 also helps dampen the vi rations or shocks, and forexample it will be seen that as the parts move from a position shown inFIGURE 6 to a position such as that shown in FIGURE 7, the coil spring.113 will be compressed between the portion 112 of the cylinder 111 andthe portion 108 of the base element 96, and this spring 113 Will thusserve to take up some of the shock or absorb the vibrations so that itwill be seen that each of the mounting devices 85 includes a pluralityof different means for helping to reduce or eliminate shocks that wouldotherwise be transmitted through the supporting structureto the delicateinstruments that may be arranged in the fixture 78. After the shocksorvibrations have disappeared or been absorbed, the pants will return froma position such as that shown in FIGURE 7.

to a position such as that shown in FIGURE 6 due to the inherentresiliency of theparts such as the inherent resiliency of thebody member0 and the coil spring 113.

In addition the mounting devices 85 are constructed so that shocks orvibrations will be absorbed or dampened even when they are not directedalong a straight line as shown in FIGURE 7, and in this connectionattention is directed to FIGURE 8 wherein there is illustrated theaction which takes place when a shock or vibration occurs that is notalong the longitudinal axis of a member such as the stem 93. It will beseen that when such a vibra- 6 tion or shock occurs, the body member 90can be partially compressed and the rubber like or resilientconstruction of the body member 90 will function to help absorb suchshocks or vibrations, and also the coil spring 113 will be partiallycompressed to also help absorb the shocks or vibrations and in addition,the valve member 115 will move from the position shown in FIGURE 6 tothe closed position of FIGURE 8 so that the only air traveling betweenthe bore 110 and the passageway 119 must pass through the restrictedaperture 116 and this restricted aperture helps dampen or retardslid-ing movement of the piston 106 in the bore 110 so as to also aid inthe shock absorbing eifect that is desired. Furthermore, it will benoted that the stems or members 98 and 117 are capable of pivotalmovement within the bearings 162 and thus regardless of the direction ofthe shock or vibration, the parts can automatically adjust in order toabsorb the shocks. The fitting or bushings 103 are slidable on themembers '98 and 117 and these elements 103 have the rounded surfaces 101which are adapted to engage the adjacent bearings 1112 in order to helporient the parts and permit the pivotal movement to take place in orderto help prevent the shocks from being transmitted to the delicateinstruments being supported. The nuts or fasteners 188 are threaded onthe portion such as the portions 99 of the stems so that these nuts 100function as limit stop members in order to insure that the parts will bemaintained in their proper assembled relation and also these stopmembers 104 define abutments whereby the elements 103 can slide on thestems 98 and117 so that for example the parts can move back, and forthbetween the positions such as that shown in FIGURE 6 and that shown inFIGURE 8.

The body members 96 are each provided with an aperture or opening 93 sothat air can flow through this aperture 93, as for example when the bodymember 90 is expanding or contracting during movement of the parts froma position such as that shown in FIGURE 6 to a position such as thatshown in FIGURES 7 or 8.

As shown :in FIGURE 1, the mounting devices 35 at the opposite sides ofthe fixture 78 are fastened between the sides 79 of the fixture 78 andthe side portions 71 of the inner frame 76). In addition avpair of themounting devices 85 are interposed and fastened between the top of thefixture 78 and the top portion 72 of the inner frame 70, and also a pairof mounting devices are arranged or interposed between the crosspiece 36and the top member 72 of the inner frame 70. Other mounting devices 35are afiixed to the arms 39 of the yoke 86 and as shown in the drawingssuch as in FIGURE 2 for example the mounting devices 35 engage oppositesurfaces of the fixture 7-8 and this arrangement is such that regardlessof the direction of the shock or vibration, the mounting devices will beable to absorb or dampen the same so as to insure that the delicateinstruments in the fixture 78 will not be damaged. The mounting devices85 all have generally the same construction and operation although aspreviously stated they are adapted to be fastened to and used withdifferentp-arts of the apparatus but in general the function of thevarious mounting devices is similar.

The outer frame 37 has a generally rigid construction,

that is the bars 31 and crosspieces 34, 35 and 36 are rigidly securedtogether as for example by means of the elements 32, so that in efi'ec-tthe outer frame will have a tendency to transmit the shocks orvibrations therealong without any substantial or appreciable amount ofdampening taking place. However, the shocks or vibrations will notordinarily reach the inwardly disposed fixture 78 since in order toreach the fixture '78 such shocks or vibrations will have to movethrough the m-ount ing devices and mounting units and since thesemounting devices and mounting units are constructed so that they act asshock absorbers, it will be seen that the delicate instruments in such afixture will be safely supported and protected.

The present invention also includes the mounting units 38 which helpinsure that no shocks or vibrations will be transmitted along theconductor 64 to the fixture 78, and the conductors 64 are adapted to beused for connecting various types of electronic instruments or the likein the fixture 78 to a suitable source of electrical energy. Thus, anyshocks which may have a tendency to travel along the conductors 64 willbe absorbed in the mount-ing units or shock absorbers 38 which have aconstruction such as that shown in FIGURE 12 and it will be seen thatfor example when such a shock or vibration occurs, the support member 44can move inwardly into the base 39 to compress the element 47 and alsocompress the coil spring 49, and since the element 47 is made of asuitable material such as rubber, plastic or the like, the element 47will act as a shock absorber, and also the coil spring 49 will act as ashock absorber so that such shocks will not be transmitted along theconductors 64 to the fixture 78. After the shocks have been dissipatedor absorbed, the inherent resiliency of the element 47 on the coilspring 49 serves to return the parts to their normal posit-ions such asthat shown in FIGURE 12.

The mounting units 38' have 'aconstruction and operation generallysimilar to the mounting units 38, however, the mounting units 38' have amodified or different type of support member 44, and as shown in FIGUREa fiber washer 74 is adapted to be interposed between the support member44' and the adjacent element 81, and this fiber washer 74 may move orshift slightly along the element 81 so asto permit the parts toautomatically adjust to a position that helps minimize breakage ordamage thereto.

While the present invention has been specifically described for use inconnection with the support of delicate instruments or the like, it isto be understood that the mounting of the present invention is notrestricted to use with apparatus or structure for supporting suchdelicate instruments since the present invention can be used in any typeof structure where it is desirable to provide a vibrationl'ess orshockproof mounting. 'Ihus, instead of supporting delicate instrumentsin the fixture 78, other types of articles can be supported or arrangedtherein as desired or required. Also, as shown in FIGURE 14 the mountingunit 38- can be used in the lower end of a support or the like asindicated by the numeral 120, and the support 120 may be a leg of atable, work bench or the like, and a plurality of the mountingunits 38"of FIGURE 14 can be used, one for each leg of the work bench or table orthe like. Thus, articles of a delicate nature can be supported on such awork bench in such a manner that shocks or vibrations will not betransmitted to the tools or other articles which are being supported. InFIGURE 14 the mounting unit 38 is shown to include the support piece 123which is adapted to engage the floor or the like, and this support piece123 is suitably secured to the support member 44", and the supportmember 44 is adjustably or telescopically connected to the base 39. Thedevice of FIGURE 14 is shown to comprise the coil spring 49 as well as asecuring element 51" and there is also provided the yieldable body piece47. The securing element 51" serves to maintain the parts properlyassembled together, and it will be seen that in the event of a shock orvibration, the support member 44" can move inwardly into the base 39 soas to compress the coil spring 49 and flex the yieldable body piece 47so that in effect the body piece 47 and coil spring 49 will function asshock absorbers to dampen the shock or vibration which would otherwisebe transmitted through the member 120 to the articles being supported.The securing element 51" can be adjusted as for example by arranging ascrew driver or other tool in engagement with the kerf in the head ofthe securing element 51f so that the tension exerted by the spring 49can be varied or regulated as desired. The support piece 123 may be madeso that it can be disconnected or removed from the support member 44" ifdesired or required.

In the modification of FIGURE 15 one of the mounting devices is shown inan application that is somewhat similar to the arrangement of FIGURE 14,and it will be seen that in FIGURE 15 the numeral indicates a mountingdevice which engages a recess .125 in the lower portion of the leg orother support 124 which may be part of a work bench or the like that isused for supporting delicate instruments, tools or other articleswherein such articles are desired to be protected against shocks,vibrations and the like. The support element 128 is adapted to besecured to the lower end portion of the mounting device 85' as forexample by means of the securing element 129, and [the securing element129 may be provided with a passageway similar to the passageway 119 soas to permit air to pass therethrough as the resilient body member ofthe mounting device 85 expands or contracts due to vibrations or shocksbeing dampened thereby. The member 130 is adapted to be arrangedadjacent the upper end of the mounting device 85', and

the stud 127 is adapted to engage a suitable opening 126 in the lowerportion of the member 124 so that the mounting device 85' will bemaintained in its proper location.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in difierent shapesor sizes.

Also, a unit such as that shown in FIGURE 14 or such as that shown inFIGURE 15 can be used on the lower end of a table or chair leg, and themounting mechanisms can be used in other applications such as inconjunction with doors or windows where it is desired to dampen shocksor vibrations. Suitable washers, bearings, braces or the like can beused wherever desired or required. The bearing members such as themembers 102 may be made of a suitable fiber like material so as tominimize friction and wear between the various moving parts. The partsincluding the elements 102 and 103 and 98 constitute a swivel ball typeof socket which permits the necessary movement to take place as theshocks or vibrations occur. The yieldable body piece 47 is adapted tohave its lip 48 snugly seated in the recess 46 so as to provide a snap'in type of construction which permits the body piece 47 to be firmlyheld in place, and also this construction permits a member such as themember 47 to be maintained in its proper aligned position. The sectionssuch as the sections 91 of the body member may be secured together as at92 by means of vulcanization. The members such as the members shown inFIGURES 14 and 15 can be used at the lower ends of legs of furnituresuch as tubular chairs, desks or the like. In addition, the presentinvention functions as a Ieveler and stabilizer when used as shown inthe drawings.

A construction such as that shown in FIGURE 1 is especially suitable forsupporting delicate instruments as for example in the vicinity ofmissile firing ranges, as for example when it is necessary to protectsuch delicate instruments from shock or vibrations that frequently occuras a result of a rocket, missiles or the like being discharged. Inaddition, the present invention is especially suitable for use inaircraft where it is necessary to support various types of instrumentsin such a manner that they will not be subjected to the damaging effectsof various types of shocks or vibrations. The present invention isconstructed so that shocks or vibrations from all directions will bedampened, and the present invention can be used in conjunction withvarious articles of furniture, hospital equipment, ofiicc equipment,machinery, delicate instruments or the like.

The parts can be made large or small depending upon the size of loadbeing supported, and the present invention will also function to helpprevent sound waves from being transmitted to instruments or the like.Certain parts of the mounting units or devices may be made of a materialwhich also prevents the transmission of electricity therethrough, andfor example the fiber washers can also function as electric insulatingmembers so as to prevent static electricity or the like from entering ordamaging or otherwise interfering with various types of delicateinstruments. The members such as the saddles and base elements which arecontiguous to the spherical body member 90 are shaped arcuately orcurved and have rounded surfaces thereon so as to insure that there willbe no sharp edges to puncture or otherwise damage the body member.

Referring now to FIGURES 16 and 17 of the drawings, the numeral 73'indicates a fixture or box like membar which can be used for any desiredpurpose, as for example delicate instruments or the like can besupported in or on a fixture such as the fixture 78. The mountingdevices 85 may be arranged as shown in FIGURE 16, and the numeral 135indicates a horizontally disposed frame that is arranged above a surfacesuch as the floor surface 136, and the mounting devices 35 can be usedfor preventing damage or harm to instruments being supported by thefixture 78'.

In the modification of FIGURE 18, the box 78' or fixture 78 can be againused for supporting various types of instruments or the like, andmounting units 38 can be arranged on opposite sides of the frame 135 soas to help provide a vibrationless mounting or support for the unit ormember 78.

As shown in FIGURE 12 the resilient body piece or grommet 47 has a lipor flange 48 that is snugly engaged in the recess 46, and a similarconstruction is adapted to be used in all of the other such mountingunits, and this is an important feature or aspect of the presentinvention and for example represents an improvement over theconstruction of the levelers shown in my co-pending patent applicationSerial No. 781,041, filed December 17, 1958, now Patent No. 3,027,680.Thus, this construction is such that the grommet or element 47 will movein unison with the member 44, and the support members may be providedwith cut away or recessed portions 137 that reduce the bearing surfacebetween the support members and their coacting bases so that thenecessary or desired sliding or reciprocating action can take place inthe most advantageous and efficient manner.

it is to be understood that the present invention can be used in variousdifferent applications or uses so that the same is not restricted to usein connection with the supporting of delicate instruments or the like.

With further reference to the construction such as that shown in FIGURES6, 7 and 8, and in particular as shown in FIGURE 8, it will be seen thatthis construction provides a stilfener on one side of the mounting deiceso as to insure that the device will move properly to an inclinedposition and give equal pressure at all times during its travel and yetpermit air to escape and enter as required for the load action as theload action increases or decreases.

As stated previously an important aspect of the present invention is theresilient grommet 47 which has the lip 43 that engages the groove orrecess 46 so that the support member and grommet will move or functionas a single unit, and this is an improvement over a construction such asthat shown in my prior patent No. 3,027,680.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what isconceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it isrecognized that the departures may be made therefrom within the scope ofthe invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosedherein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as toembrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

-1. A device of the character described comprising an outer frameembodying vertically disposed spaced parallel bars, a pair ofhorizontally disposed crosspieces secured in vertically spaced relationto said bars, a first pair of similar mounting units connected to thelower of said pair of crosspieces, each of said mounting unitscomprising a base including a bottom portion provided with an openingtherein, and said base further including a cylindrical side wallportion, a yieldable disc interposed between said base and said lowercrosspiece, a support member adjustably connected to said base and saidsupport member including a side section having a circular shoulderslidably engaging the inner surface of the side wall portion of thebase, a neck depending from said support member and said neck having anouter annular recess therein, a yieldable body piece having a lip on itsupper end engaging said recess, a securing element extending throughsaid support member and through said base and through said lowercrosspiece and said securing element having a fastener on its lower end,said securing element further including a shank having an enlarged headon its upper end, a coil spring circumposed on said shank and said coilspring being arranged within said yieldable body piece, an inner frameinterposed between said bars and between said cross pieces, said innerframe comprising spaced parallel vertically disposed side members andspaced parallel horizontally disposed end members, said lower end memberconnected to said support members of said mounting units, resilientmounting devices interposed between the other end member and the othercro-sspiece and between the side members and bars, a fixture arrangedcentrally within said inner frame, mounting units interposed between thelower end member of said inner frame and the bottom of said fixture,mounting devices interposed between the sides of said fixture and theside members of the inner frame, U-shaped yokes including webs securedto the end members of the inner frame and spaced apart arms the ends ofwhich overlap in spaced relation the front and back respectively of theend portions of said fixture and resilient mounting devices interposedbetween the end portions of said arms and fixture.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said mountingdevices comprises a resilient spherical hollow body member having anaperture therein, diametrically opposed arcuate saddles arrangedadjacent the outer portions of said body member, diametrically opposedcurved first and second base elements arranged within said body member,a stem engaging one of said base elements and adjacent saddle, and saidstem having a bushing slidably arranged thereon, a fastener connected tosaid stem, coacting bearing pieces having said stem adjustably connectedthereto, a piston slidably arranged in said body member, a coil springconnected to said piston, a cylinder having a bore for slidablyreceiving said piston, an apertured fitting having a valve memberarranged contiguous thereto, a stem connected to the second base elementand said stem having a passageway therein, a fastener on said last namedstem, and a bushing slidable on said last named stem.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,404,531 Robertson July 23, 1946 2,605,099 Brown July 29, 19522,610,016 Crede Sept. 9, 1952 2,610,017 Lambert Sept. 9, 1952 2,744,718Markowski May 8, 1956 2,756,015 Larisch July 24, 1956 2,930,556Horlacher Mar. 29, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,158,902 France Feb. 3, 1958

1. A DEVICE OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED COMPRISING AN OUTER FRAMEEMBODYING VERTICALLY DISPOSED SPACED PARALLEL BARS, A PAIR OFHORIZONTALLY DISPOSED CROSSPIECES SECURED IN VERTICALLY SPACED RELATIONTO SAID BARS, A FIRST PAIR OF SIMILAR MOUNTING UNITS CONNECTED TO THELOWER OF SAID PAIR OF CROSSPIECES, EACH OF SAID MOUNTING UNITSCOMPRISING A BASE INCLUDING A BOTTOM PORTION PROVIDED WITH AN OPENINGTHEREIN, AND SAID BASE FURTHER INCLUDING A CYLINDRICAL SIDE WALLPORTION, A YIELDABLE DISC INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID BASE AND SAID LOWERCROSSPIECE, A SUPPORT MEMBER ADJUSTABLY CONNECTED TO SAID BASE AND SAIDSUPPORT MEMBER INCLUDING A SIDE SECTION HAVING A CIRCULAR SHOULDERSLIDABLY ENGAGING THE INNER SURFACE OF THE SIDE WALL PORTION OF THEBASE, A NECK DEPENDING FROM SAID SUPPORT MEMBER AND SAID NECK HAVING ANOUTER ANNULAR RECESS THEREIN, A YIELDABLE BODY PIECE HAVING A LIP ON ITSUPPER END ENGAGING SAID RECESS, A SECURING ELEMENT EXTENDING THROUGHSAID SUPPORT MEMBER AND THROUGH SAID BASE AND THROUGH SAID LOWERCROSSPIECE AND SAID SECURING ELEMENT HAVING A FASTENER ON ITS LOWER END,SAID SECURING ELEMENT FURTHER INCLUDING A SHANK HAVING AN ENLARGED HEADON ITS UPPER END, A COIL SPRING CIRCUMPOSED ON SAID SHANK AND SAID COILSPRING BEING ARRANGED WITHIN SAID YIELDABLE BODY PIECE, AN INNER FRAMEINTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID BARS AND BETWEEN SAID CROSS PIECES, SAID INNERFRAME COMPRISING SPACED PARALLEL VERTICALLY DISPOSED SIDE MEMBERS ANDSPACED PARALLEL HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED END MEMBERS, SAID LOWER END MEMBERCONNECTED TO SAID SUPPORT MEMBERS OF SAID MOUNTING UNITS, RESILIENTMOUNTING DEVICES INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE OTHER END MEMBER AND THE OTHERCROSSPIECE AND BETWEEN THE SIDE MEMBERS AND BARS, A FIXTURE ARRANGEDCENTRALLY WITHIN SAID INNER FRAME, MOUNTING UNITS INTERPOSED BETWEEN THESIDES OF SAID FIXTURE AND THE SIDE MEMBERS OF THE INNER FRAME, U-SHAPEDYOKES INCLUDING WEBS SECURED TO THE END MEMBERS OF THE INNER FRAME ANDSPACED APART ARMS THE ENDS OF WHICH OVERLAP IN SPACED RELATION THE FRONTAND BACK RESPECTIVELY OF THE END PORTIONS OF SAID FIXTURE AND RESILIENTMOUNTING DEVICES INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE END PORTIONS OF SAID ARMS ANDFIXTURE.